| When it comes to samurai swords, there is | | | | basically 3 different styles to consider, the |
| quite a bit of terminology for the new | | | | katana sword, the Wakizashi sword and the |
| collector to understand. But we want to make | | | | Tanto sword. The Japanese Katana Sword is the |
| it easy for anyone to find a good quality | | | | most popular among collectors and martial |
| samurai sword that will last a lifetime, no | | | | arts students alike. |
| matter if you're looking for one of the very | | | | |
| sought after Paul Chen Katana swords for | | | | The katana sword was the first and is still |
| battle or just a quality sword to hang over | | | | the most popular of all samurai swords. The |
| the mantle. | | | | blade is typically 29" long with an overall |
| | | | length around 40" |
| The first thing to consider for your new | | | | |
| samurai sword is the type and quality of the | | | | The Wakizashi sword is the shorter companion |
| blade. If you're looking for a you want to be | | | | blade of the katana sword. We first see the |
| sure and choose a full tang blade, which all | | | | Wakizashi sword during the Muromachi period |
| of our authentic samurai swords feature as | | | | (1568-1603). The Wakizashi was about 18" long |
| well as all of our battle ready swords. The | | | | and only allowed to be carried by a samurai. |
| term "full tang" means that the blade and the | | | | Carrying both the katana and the Wakizashi |
| part of the sword under the Tsuka (handle) is | | | | was popular for the next few hundred years. |
| one long piece of steel. If you get a sword | | | | |
| that is not full tang then you're basically | | | | The smallest samurai sword would be the tanto |
| buying it to hang on the wall and nothing | | | | sword or dagger. Originally tanto swords were |
| more. | | | | 12" in length or less but it's not out of the |
| | | | ordinary to come across a Tanto that is 15" |
| The next thing to consider when choosing a | | | | long. |
| sword is the type of steel that the blade is | | | | |
| made of. There are basically 3 types of | | | | Samurai sword collecting is a very popular |
| steel, 420 J2 (Stainless steel), High Carbon, | | | | past time for many Americans. Something that |
| and Folded steel. If you are looking for a | | | | is becoming even more popular is martial arts |
| battle ready sword you'll want to stay away | | | | that make use of samurai sword for fighting |
| from the 420 J2 Stainless. High carbon steel | | | | and cutting exercises. The most popular and |
| is very high quality steel; however folded | | | | affordable authentic samurai swords are the |
| steel is the strongest. Actually it's not | | | | Paul Chen Swords. You can find a decent Paul |
| that the folded steel is a different type of | | | | Chen Practical Katana Sword for under $200. |
| steel, but how the blade is forged. | | | | However for less than a hundred more you can |
| | | | get yourself a Paul Chen Practical Plus |
| A folded steel blade is typically made from | | | | Katana. If you're looking for something a |
| high carbon steel. The difference is that a | | | | little more pricy the Paul Chen Bushido |
| folded steel blade is just like it says; the | | | | Katana or the Orchid Katana will last a |
| steel is folded over and over again until the | | | | lifetime and can take quite a beating. The |
| smith believes that it is adequate. | | | | Orchid and Bushido also come in a Wakizashi |
| | | | and Tanto. |
| Some people say that a good high carbon steel | | | | |
| blade can be just as strong as a folded steel | | | | In conclusion, the most important thing when |
| blade. The smiths for the Thaitsuki Nihonto | | | | buying your sword is that you know what kind |
| Swords claim to have mastered a form of | | | | of blade you're getting. If you want a |
| forging high carbon steel blades that is just | | | | functional sword be sure that you're not |
| as strong if not stronger than many of the | | | | getting one that's only made to hang on the |
| folded steel blades. | | | | wall. If it's not clearly stated on the page |
| | | | for the sword, don't hesitate to contact the |
| When choosing a sword samurai sword there are | | | | store to ask any questions you might have. |